Cutting and gouging electrode holder and method



April 12, 1955 M. D. STEPATH ET AL CUTTING AND GOUGING ELECTRODE HOLDERAND METHOD 2 Shets-Sheet 1 1 MYRON D. STEPATH NEIL J. KRUMM CORNELIUS A.Ross INVENTORS REYNOLDS & BEACH Original Filed April 11, 1949 Q E mATTORNEYS April 12, 1955 M. D. STEPATH ET AL ,7

CUTTING AND GOUGING ELECTRODE HOLDER AND METHOD Original Filed April 11,1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MYRON D. STEPATH NEIL J. KRUMM Coxnsuus A. RossINVENTORS REYNOLDS z? BEACH ATTORNEYS 35 BY M 407% United States PatentCUTTING AND GOUGING ELECTRODE HOLDER AND METHOD Myron D. Stepath,Lancaster, Ohio, and Neil J. Krumm, Bremerton, and Cornelius A. Ross,near Bremerton, Wash, assignors to Arc-air Company, Bremerton, Wash., apartnership Continuation of application Serial No.

194?. This appiication No. 394,616)

13 Claims. (Cl. 219-15) This invention relates to an electrode holderfor electric arc-gas jet cutting and gouging torches, and moreparticularly concerns an improved electrode holder permitting angularadjustment of the electrode held therein while maintaining apredetermined relationship between the electric arc and the gas streamimpingement on the work for forcibly removing molten metal from the workin substantially uniform manner throughout consumption of the electrode.The invention further relates to a novel method for cutting and gougingmetal which advantageously utilizes the improved electrode holder. Theinvention is herein illustratively described by reference to thepreferred form and practice thereof; however, it will be understood thatcertain changes and modifications therein could be made withoutdeparting from the essential features involved.

The present patent application is a continuation of our applicationSerial No. 86,746, filed April ll, 1949.

An important object of the present invention is a method for cutting andgouging of metal rapidly and efficiently by use of ordinary solid-rodelectrodes. A related object is such a method which may be carried outwith simple and inexpensive equipment and at low overall cost, includingthe cost of labor, electric current and compressed gas. Still anotherobject is to accomplish these results by a method which enables theachievement of very uniform cutting and gouging during the entireconsumption of a considerable length of electrode projecting from theholder without use of automatic electrode feed or other complexmechanism formerly considered necessary in achieving these results, suchresults being accomplished by using in novel manner the combined effectsof an electric arc and a force stream of gas.

Another object of the invention is an electrode holder embodying a gasjet nozzle in direct association with an electrode clamp, capable ofimplementing the foregoing method, and so formed that the gas jet willbe spaced somewhat from while being directed close alongside theelectrode and constantly oriented substantially parallel to the axisthereof irrespective of the length of the electrode and of the angularrelationship of the electrode to the handle of the device. Preferablysuch a gas jet nozzle is formed as an integral part of a groovedelectrode clamp jaw.

In its method aspect the invention is based on the following originaldiscovery. Consider an ordinary solid-rod electrode to be gripped nearone end in an electric torch holder so as to project freely toward thework with the surface of its remaining or projecting length completelyexposed to permit substantially complete consumption of the electrodewithout shifting the grip thereon. Assume, then, that the projecting endof the electrode gripped in this manner is placed adjacent the work andan arc is struck, which arc is advanced progressively along a desiredcutting or gouging line on the work, so as to heat and melt the metal.It will be evident that as this action takes place, the electrode isprogressively consumed due to combined mechanical and chemical effectsof the arc, and the distance separating the location at which theelectrode is gripped from its projecting or are end progressivelydecreases from its original value to a very small value or substantiallyzero. It has been discovered that the molten metal heated by the areunder these conditions may be forcibly removed from the work in highlyuniform manner (i. e. as to depth and width of the resulting cut orgroove) and without formation of appreciable slag by a 86,746, April 11,November 27, 1953, Serial 2,706,236 Patented Apr. 12, 1955 very simpletechnique utilizing a high-velocity stream of gas. This is accomplishedby directing a free stream of gas of substantially constant highvelocity close alongside the exteriorly exposed surface of the electrodeand parallel to the axis of the electrode, toward the work, and from thelocation at which the electrode is gripped. It was found, contrary tological expectation, that when this free stream of gas, such as merelycompressed air, is ejected along the projecting electrode in this mannerat a suficiently high velocity the force and effect of the gas inremoving the molten metal from the work under the arc remainssubstantially constant despite the progressive consumption of theelectrode which varies the distance between its projecting end, that is,the location of the arc, and the point at which the electrode isgripped, which is the location from which the jet stream is directed. Inother words, it is found that an entire electrode or a large fractionthereof may be progressively consumed in this manner to do usefulcutting and gouging work without any necessity for changing the grip onthe electrode, and furthermore, without any necessity for changing theconditions under which the stream of gas is ejected toward the work.

If the stream velocity is high enough the rate at which molten metal isforcibly ejected thereby from the work under the arc is approximatelyconstant despite the fact that the distance of the gas jet nozzle fromthe work may vary by as much as several hundred percent in the course ofconsuming an ordinary solid-rod electrode. The important advantagederived from this discovery is that ordinary solid-rod electrodes may beused, any kind of compressed gas chemically compatible to the work maybe used, and the method is very rapid since once the electrode isgripped near one end, for instance, its projecting length may be fullyconsumed without pausing to regrip.

Of course, if the gas used is compressed air or oxygen, a certain amountof oxidation of the molten metal may take place during its removal fromthe work by force. However, the primary action is an action of force andany oxidation is incidental. If the gas used is of the inert type, thenthe amount of oxidation taking place will be negligible, but theforcible ejection of molten metal nevertheless will remain substantiallythe same in either case. Since the type of gas used is not of greatimportance to the present method, it is obvious that the choice willdepend upon economic considerations and for that reason obviouslycompressed air is usually preferred.

It will also be readily evident that the cost of practicing thediscovered method is low when compared with prior methods utilizingspecial tubular or composite tubular electrodes designed to carry gas tothe work through their interiors. The same is true of those formermethods utilizing complex automatic electrode or gas nozzle feedmechanisms in order to maintain a substantially constant physicalrelationship or spacing between the electric arc and the gas jet nozzle.Moreover, the present method is highly versatile in that it utilizesportable compact torch equipment enabling Work to be done on invertedsurfaces, under cramped space conditions, etc. The present invention isnot to be compared, of course, with prior methods merely for welding, inwhich a blanketing stream of inert gas having low velocity is ejectedover the heated area of the work in order to minimize oxidation of thewelded areas. Likewise, the present method is readily distinguished fromand constitutes an important improvement over prior proposals forcutting or gouging metals in which it was considered necessary to permitonly a short portion of an electrode to project from the holder and tomake frequent or continuous feed adjustments of the electrode in orderto maintain a sufficient length thereof exposed to the work forconsumption under effects of the arc. The necessity in such priorpractice of frequently pausing to manipulate an incremental electrodefeed element resulted in great loss of time and slow work. It was notheretofore appreciated nor conceived that uniform cutting or gougingaction was achievable so as to permit complete electrode consumptionwithout regripping, if the gas jet were directed as described from adistance from the work which corresponded to the greatly variableprojecting length of the electrode.

In its apparatus aspects the invention is further aimed at achieving anelectrode holder in which the angle between the electrode and the axisof the handle can be adjusted easily and quickly by pivoting of anelectrode clamp jaw or chuck. Preferably, and as herein illustrated, theelectrode is pivoted in the holder by resilient clamp action. Moreover,in any of its adjusted positions an electrode gripped in the holder isreadily released for removal by simple operations of a convenient clampseparator.

These and other features, objects and advantages of our invention willbecome more fully evident from the following detailed description basedupon the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred forms of theimproved electrode holder.

Figure 1 is a side view of one form of the electrode holder,illustrating by broken lines difierent adjusted positions of anelectrode held by it.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same, taken on line 22 inFigure l, with the electrode clamp jaw co-oriented with the axis of thehandle.

Figure 3 is an end view of the same, viewed from line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view at an expanded scale of thecombined electrode clamp jaw and jet nozzle employed in the illustratedelectrode holder.

Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the core piece which forms theclamp arm carrying the clamp jaw, the tip of this arm element beingbroken away along line 5-5 in Figure 2 to reveal the location of the gaspassage therein leading to the nozzle.

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view corresponding to Figure 4, of amodified type of combined electrode clamp jaw and jet nozzle, part ofwhich is broken away to reveal interior details, and which is useful inthe same basic type of electrode holder construction illustrated inFigure 1.

Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view corresponding to Figure 4, ofstill a different form of combined electrode clamp jaw and jet nozzle,with parts broken away to reveal interior details, and which issimilarly applicable to the illustrated basic electrode holderconstruction.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, ofthe tip or electrode end of the electrode holder, embodying the combinednozzle and clamp jaw shown in Figure 7.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the basic electrode holder constructionincludes a hollow cylindrical handle 10 of suitable insulating material,such as fiber, and a coacting pair of arm members 12 and 14 projectingendwise from the handle in generally parallel spaced relation. The arm14 has a cylindrical base 14' (Figures 2 and 5) pressfitted within thebore of handle 10. One side of this base is flattened and the base endof the other arm 12 attached to it by a pair of machine screws 16. Thescrew heads are countersunk and the exterior wall at the base of arm 12is rounded to the contour of the cylindrical base 14, to be accommodatedwithin the end of the handle. These arms, preferably of copper or otherconductive metal having resilient properties, then serve as the jaws orarms of a spring clamp.

At its projecting end at least one of the arms, such as arm 14, carriesan electrode clamp jaw 18 (Figure 4) cooperating with the other arm 12to grip and hold an electrode. The side of the jaw facing the arm 12 isgrooved longitudinally. An electrode E (Figure 1), laid on its sid e j nthis groove, is held in place in the jaw by resilienrclosing action ofthe clamp arms 12 and 14. It may be released for longitudinal adjustmentor replacement by separating the arms against their resilient force,through action of a cam lever 22. The cam lever comprises a lever handle24 lying alongside the handle 10, and a neck extending at right anglesthereto through a slot 26 in arm 12, into the space between such arms,terminating in a tip directed substantially parallel to the handle.Within this space the cam lever tip has on one side a cam portion 28engageable with arm 14, and its other side is notched for pivoting upona transverse pin 30 or convexity carried by arm 12 and projecting fromits inner surface to form a fulcrum. The cam lever is designed to spreadthe arms 12, 14 by pressing the lever handle 24 toward the side of theelectrode holder handle 10. A leaf spring 32 presses against an ear 28on the inner end of the cam lever, to keep the handle from swingingoutward when in jaw-clamped position, although it may be removed bybeing swung outward and the lever tip then drawn through the slot 26 todisengage the cooperating semicylindrical surfaces of pin 30 and thenotched cam portion 23.

An electrode gripped resiliently between the flattened inner face of arm12 near its tip end, and the groove base in clamp jaw 20, may be swunginto various angles of adjustment relative to the common axis of theholder clamp and handle, by pivoting of the jaw 18 about the axis of ascrew 34 securing the jaw pivotally to, and upon the inner face of, arm14. In Figure l the clamp jaw 20 appears in solid lines, positioned withits longitudinal axis, corresponding to the electrode axis,approximately at 45 degrees to the general axis of the electrode holder,and in broken lines at right angles thereto. The electrode is free toswing with the clamp jaw into innumerable positions of adjustment,through a wide angle appreaching 360 degrees, as the space between thearms 12 and 14 is open at the sides. If desired, screw 34, or anequivalent pivotal connection for the clamp jaw, may be of the frictiontype which holds the swivel jaw to the arm tip with a constant degree offirmness and prevents involuntary swinging of the electrode out of anyparticular adjusted position, and yet permits changing'its angularposition at will, requiring the use of no tools to release and set thejaw screw each time an adjustment is made.

The construction of the clamp jaw 18 is of particular importance for thefurther reason that it embodies or constitutes in itself a gas jetnozzle having one or more end-opening orifices 36 directed closealongside and generally parallel to the side of an electrode held by thejaws, yet spaced slightly from the electrode. Gas under pressure fed tothese orifices is ejected in a stream alongside the electrode, to blowmolten metal from the work heated beneath the electric arc. By havingthese orifices directed parallel to the electrode instead of at an angleto it, the force and efiect of the stream of gas acting upon the work issubstantially constant. This is true irrespective of variations in thedistance from the orifice end of the nozzle to the work, resulting fromnatural variations in electrode length, as one is eroded progressivelyaway and replaced by another and longer electrode. Consequently, amongother advantages, such as that mentioned at the outset, with anelectrode-parallel jet it is unnecessary to the effective operation ofthe gas jet to adjust the jets direction relative to the electrode or tomake longitudinal adjustment of the electrode in the holder, incompensation for electrode dimensional changes through wear.

It will appear from the foregoing, therefore, that the apparatus isadmirably suited for practicing the described novel method. This is truesince it permits of angular adjustment of the electrode and of the gasjet nozzle means simultaneously simply by rotating the electrode aboutthe axis defined by the machine screw 34. This adjustment may be made tosuit the operators convenience, depending upon the type and positionalattitude of the work being gouged or cut.

It is to be noted that the cutting or gouging action achieved by themethod will be substantially constant by producing a high-velocitystream of gas through the jet nozzles. The pressure of gas required toproduce the necessary work displacement force will vary somewhat withthe specific apparatus, i. e. nozzle area, etc., but ordinarily thepressure of compressed air found in industrial establishments will besuflicient for the purpose with nozzles and connecting ducts of adequatesize.

In the form of clamp jaw nozzle shown in Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, theorifices are three in number, arranged 1n 2. straight line and operableto direct a composite stream of gas alongside and parallel to theelectrode,

more or less in the form of a solid sheet by merging of the individualstreams at a distance from the nozzle.

Gas is led to the nozzle via a longitudinal passage 38 in arm 14,communicating between a central axial port opening 40 in the cylindricalbase of such arm, and an opposite port opening 42 in the tip end of thearm. The opening 42 is an effective element of a sealed rotary gaspassage coupling between the arm and the nozzle 18. Cooperating withthis port opening is an annular duct 44 formed by a groove concentricwith the axis of screw 34, in that side of the jaw 18 which contacts theinner side of the arm. The orifice passages 36 communicate with thisannular duct. Since the nozzle is held tightly against the adjoiningface of the arm by screw 34, a substantially sealed connection is formedat the interface between the nozzle and the arm, which is suflicient- 1ypressure-tight in each of the various possible angularly adjustedpositions of the nozzle as to prevent any appreciable wastage of gas.

Gas is bled from passage 38 through an opening 39 to cool spring 32 sothat it will retain its temper, and through an inclined opening 41 tocool the jaw 18. Gas is delivered to the electrode holder via a flexibleconduit 44 of insulating material which encases the conductor 46interconnecting the electrode holder electrically with the source ofcurrent employed in conjunction with it. This conduit may be of rubber,and it forms an annular gas passage surrounding the conductor 46. Itselectrode-holder end receives and is clamped by a band 48 to the outerend of a centrally bored fitting 50 which threads into the end of a gasvalve housing 52, as shown in Figure 2. The valve housing in turn isreceived within the base end of the hollow handle 10, and is threaded atits opposite end into the end of the cylindrical clamp base 14', incommunication with port opening 40. Suitable openings 54 are provided inthe fitting 50 for passage of the gas from the annular gas passagewithin conduit 44 to the central bore of such fitting. The valve has anactuating plunger 56 projecting externally of the handle through asuitable aperture therein, which is actuated by a lever 58 disposedconveniently alongside the handle for manipulation to turn on and offthe flow of gas to the nozzle 18 at will at the same time the handle 10is grasped.

The modified combination electrode clamp jaw and gas nozzle 18illustrated in Figure 6 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 4,with respect to its outside configuration and the manner in which itengages and holds the electrode cooperatively with the opposite clamparm 12 of the electrode holder. The variation lies primarily in thenature of the nozzle orifice 60, which in this case is a slot ofelongated rectangular cross section. This nozzle orifice may be formedby milling or casting a shallow groove in that side of the clamp jaw tobe located adjacent to the arm 14, and, by use of countersunk screws,securing a cover plate 62 over its grooved face, to form the fourth wallof an orifice passage defined by such groove. The slot communicatesdirectly with the annular duct 44', as before, and the plate 62 has anaperture registering with the peripheral wall of the duct 44', to extendsuch wall. This twopart assemblage is then secured pivotally to the tipof the arm 14 (Figure 2), receives gas and is adjusted, all precisely inthe same way as the jaw 18.

An orifice 60 of rectangular cross section, as employed in thissecond-illustrated form of combined swivel electrode clamp jaw andnozzle, may be preferred to the single or multiple-orifice formpreviously described both for reasons of construction and also in caseswherein the gas jet projected by the orifice is required to be formedmore nearly as a directive sheet stream flowing parallel to andalongside the electrode toward the work.

Still another modified form of combined clamp jaw and jet nozzleelement, useful in the same basic holder construction of Figures 1 to 3,appears in Figures 7 and 8, wherein such element 18 has a body portion64 generally similar in form to the clamp jaw 18 appearing in Figure 4,but with a nozzle extension portion 66 of annular form. An electrode E,held in the groove of the jaw, must also pass through a chuck having acentral bore 68 in the nozzle extension 66, as shown in Figure 8. Thenozzle is completed by an external ring 70 having threaded connection tothe inner or base end of the extension 66. This ring has an innerannular wall 72, between which and the outer annular wall 74 of a thinaxial projection of the extension portion 66, is defined an end-openingannular orifice passage 76. The inner end of this orifice passageterminates in an enclosed annular duct 78. Between this duct and theannular duct 44", comprising an element of the rotary joint passageconnection between the clamp jaw and arm tip, extends a plurality ofaxial gas passages 80 (Figure 7).

With this annular type of nozzle chuck the stream of gas ejected by thenozzle orifice entirely surrounds the electrode, thereby affordingdistribution of the gas over an increased area of the work around theelectrode. If

the gas used is of an inert type the result of its passage through thistype of nozzle, will be to retard oxidation of the metal, but theoperation of our device is to be distinguished from certain types ofwelding employing an inert gas blanket, by the high velocity of our gasjet required to produce the desired ejection of the molten metalnecessary for an effective cutting or gouging operation.

It is to be noted that the nozzle extension 66 in no way interferes withadjustments in angular position of the combined electrode chuck andnozzle, since the ends of the arms 12 and 14 are rounded along acircular arc concentric with the pivot axis of the chuck (Figure 1). Inaddition, reception of the electrode in the chuck of the nozzleextension 66 serves to provide a more positive hold upon the electrode,gripped by clamp action of the arms 12 and 14.

We claim as our invention:

1. An electrode holder for electric arc apparatus, comprising a handleportion, clamp means carried by and projecting from said handle portion,and operable to grip and hold an electrode in operative positionrelative to said handle portion, said clamp means comprising anelongated member and an electrode-gripping element mounted pivotally onsaid elongated member to adjust the angle between the electrodes axisand the handles axis by pivoting of said element, saidelectrode-gripping element comprising gas nozzle means having therein anorifice directed outward alongside said electrode and substantiallyparallel to its axis in each of various adjusted angular positionsthereof, and gas conduit means extending to said nozzle means to delivergas thereto for ejection under pressure through said orifice in each ofsaid various adjusted angular positions of said electrode-grippingelement and nozzle.

2. The electrode holder defined in claim 1, wherein the projecting clampmeans additionally comprises an arm projecting from the handle portionin generally parallel spaced relation to the elongated member and urgedresiliently towards such member, and the side of the electrode-grippingelement facing said arm is grooved lengthwise and generally at rightangles to its pivot axis, to receive and support an elongated electrodepressed firmly against the base of the groove by said resiliently urgedarm, to grip such electrode securely therebetween.

3. An electrode holder comprising an elongated handle portion, a pair ofresiliently urged arm members projecting in generally parallel spacedrelation endwise from said handle portion, and an electrode clamp jawpivotally mounted on the inside face of one arm member opposed to theopposite arm member, near its projecting end, for pivoting about atransverse axis normal to such face, said clamp jaw cooperating with theother arm member to grip and hold an electrode therebetween throughoutvarious pivotally adjusted positions thereof to vary the angle betweenthe electrode and handles axis, said clamp jaw comprising a gas nozzlehaving an orifice directed outward parallel with the electrode-engagingsurface of said clamp jaw but spaced slightly therefrom, said clamp jawand adjacent arm member cooperatively forming a gas conduit rotary jointconnection for said nozzle, comprising an annular duct formed in onesuch member concentric with the jaws pivot axis, and a port formed inthe other such member and communicating with the duct, at theirinterface, and a gas supply connected to the handle, such arm memberhaving an internal longitudinal bore therein communicating between saidrotary joint connection and said gas supply.

4. An electrode holder comprising a handle portion, a coacting pair ofclamp arm members, one carrying an electrode clamp jaw, the other havingan opposing generally fiat electrode-engaging inner face, both such armmembers projecting in generally parallel spaced relation from saidhandle, and being resiliently urged relatively together to grip and holdsecurely an electrode between the other of said arm members and saidclamp jaw, means interacting between said arm members and operable tourge them apart against such resilient force to release and receive anelectrode, means pivotally connecting said electrode clamp jaw to itssupporting arm member, for swinging thereof about an axis disposedgenerally parallel to the plane which contains the longitudinal axes ofsaid arm members, such axis being also disposed generally perpendicularto the longitudinal axes of such arm members, for angular adjustment ofan electrode engaged by said jaw, relative to the axis of said handleportion, said electrode clamp jaw constituting a gas nozzle having anend-opening orifice directed perpendicular to the pivot axis of saidclamp jaw, and gas conduit means including a rotary joint connectionthrough the clamp-jaw-carrying arm, including an annular duct encirclingthe pivot axis of the clamp jaw.

5. The electrode holder defined in claim 4, wherein the orifice iselongated and substantially rectilinear in cross section, the longdimension being generally parallel to the plane of swing of theelectrode, such orifice being operable to direct a sheet-stream of gasalong and parallel to one side of the electrode when gas under pressureis delivered thereto through the rotary joint connection.

6. An electrode holder comprising a handle portion, a coacting pair ofclamp arm members, one carrying an electrode clamp jaw, the other havingan opposing generally fiat electrode-engaging inner face, both'such armmembers projecting in generally parallel spaced relation from saidhandle, and being resiliently urged relatively together to grip and holdsecurely an electrode between the other of said arm members and saidclamp jaw, means interacting between said arm members and operable tourge them apart against such resilient force to release and receive anelectrode, means pivotally connecting said electrode clamp jaw to itssupporting arm member, for swinging thereof about an axis disposedgenerally parallel to the plane which contains the longitudinal axes ofsaid arm members, such axis being also disposed generally perpendicularto the longitudinal axes of such arm members, for angular adjustment ofan electrode engaged by said jaw, relative to the axis of said handleportion, said electrode clamp jaw having an electrode receiving groovein the inner face thereof and constituting a gas nozzle having anend-opening orifice directed perpendicular to the pivot axis of saidclamp jaw, and parallel to its groove, and gas conduit means including arotary joint connection through the clamp-jaw-carrying arm, including anannular duct encircling the pivot axis of the clamp jaw.

7. An electrode holder comprising a handle portion, a coacting pair ofclamp arm members, one carrying an electrode clamp jaw, the other havingan opposing generally fiat electrode-engaging inner face, both such armmembers projecting in generally parallel spaced relation from saidhandle, and being resiliently urged relatively together to grip and holdsecurely an electrode between the other of said arm members and saidclamp jaw, means interacting between said arm members and operable tourge them apart against such resilient force to release and receive anelectrode, means pivotally connecting said electrode clamp jaw to itssupporting arm member, for swinging thereof about an axis disposedgenerally parallel to the plane which contains the longitudinal axes ofsaid arm members, such axis being also disposed generally perpendicularto the longitudinal axes of such arm members, for angular adjustment ofan electrode engaged by said jaw, relative to the axis of said handleportion, said clamp jaw constituting a gas nozz e comprising a generallyflat, grooved portion disposed for pivoting between the arm members, andan annular nozzle extension portion with a central bore aligned with thegroove to pass an electrode laid in such groove, the nozzle orificebeing of annular cross section, surrounding said bore, to direct asheath of gas axially, surrounding the electrode, the annular extensionportion projecting beyond and clearing the ends of the arm members forswinging of the clamp jaw and nozzle about its pivot axis.

8. An electrode holder comprising a handle portion, a coacting pair ofclamp arm members, one carrying an electrode clamp jaw, the other havingan opposing generally flat electrode-engaging inner face, both such armmembers projecting in generally parallel spaced relation from saidhandle, and being resiliently urged relatively together to grip and holdsecurely an electrode between the other of said arm members and saidclamp jaw, means interacting between said arm members and operable tourge them apart against such resilient force to release and receive anelectrode, means pivotally connecting said electrode clamp jaw to itssupporting arm member, for swinging thereof about an axis disposedgenerally parallel to the plane which contains the longitudinal axes ofsaid arm members, such axis being also disposed generally perpendicularto the longitudinal axes of such arm members, for angular adjustment ofan electrode engaged by said jaw, relative to the axis of said handleportion, said electrode clamp jaw constituting a gas nozzle having a rowof end-opening orifices arranged substantially in a straight line,directed generally parallel to each other and substantially parallel tothe electrode-engaging surface of the clamp jaw but spaced from suchsurface, and gas conduit means including a rotary joint connectionthrough the jaw-carrying-arm adjacent to the pivot axis of the clampjaw.

9. The method of gouging metal by use of a consummable solid rodelectrode, comprising gripping an elongated solid rod consummableelectrode with a portion of its length projecting freely toward the workand with the surface of said portion exposed, heating and melting theportion of the work to be gouged by striking and maintaining an arebetween the projecting end of such electrode and the work and causingconsump tion of said portion of the electrode progressively whilemaintaining said grip on the electrode, and continuously with suchheating and melting of the work forcibly blowing the melted metal fromthe work heated beneath the are by directing a free stream of air alongone side of the exposed surface of said portion of the electrode andsubstantially parallel to the axis of the electrode so said streampasses between the electrode and the work, the force of said highvelocity stream of air being sufficiently high to effectively remove themelted metal from beneath the arc and effect a uniform gouging action assaid portion of the electrode is consumed.

10. The method of gouging metal as defined in claim 9 wherein the streamof air is directed toward the work from the location at which theelectrode is gripped.

11. The method of gouging metal by use of a consumrnable solid rodelectrode, comprising gripping an elongated solid rod consummableelectrode with a portion of its length projecting freely towardthe workand with the surface of said portion exposed, heating and melting theportion of the work to be gouged by striking and maintaining an arebetween the projecting end of such electrode and the work and causingconsumption of said portion of the electrode progressively whilemaintaining said grip on the electrode, and continuously with suchheating and melting of the work forcibly blowing the melted metal fromthe work heated beneath the are by directing a free stream of gas solelyalong one side of the exposed surface of said portion of the electrodesubstantially parallel to the axis of the electrode so said streampasses between the electrode and the work, the force of said highvelocity stream of gas being sufiiciently high to effectively remove themelted metal from beneath the arc and effect a uniform gouging action assaid portion of the electrode is consumed.

12. The method of gouging metal as defined in claim 11 wherein the freestream of gas is directed toward the work from the location at which theelectrode is gripped.

13. An electrode holder for electric arc gouging apparatus comprising ahandle portion, clamp means carried by and projecting from said handleportion and operable to grip and hold an electrode in operative positionwith its longitudinal axis angularly disposed relative to thelongitudinal axis of said handle portion so an arc may be struck betweenthe tip of such electrode and work beneath it, compressed air nozzlemeans having therein an orifice opening adjacent said clamp means anddisposed solely in a plane laterally offset from the plane of said axesfor directing a high velocity stream of air along one side andsubstantially parallel to the axis of the electrode to pass between thetip of the electrode and the work and forcibly blow melted metal frombeneath the arc to effect a uniform gouging action.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,324,337 Chapman Dec. 9, 1919 1,746,208 Alexander Feb. 4, 19301,917,109 Frost July 4, 1933 2,510,960 Danhier June 13, 1950 2,524,233Giroux Oct. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 618,603 France Dec. 20, 1926

